Gastroprotective activity and mechanism of novel dichlorido-zinc(II)-4-(2-(5-methoxybenzylideneamino)ethyl)piperazin-1-iumphenolate complex on ethanol-induced gastric ulceration

Zinc complexes were reported to have anti-ulcer activity and used as drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. A novel compound dichlorido-zinc(II)-4-(2-(5-methoxybenzylidene amino)ethyl)piperazin-1-iumphenolate (ZnHMS) was synthesized, characterized and evaluated for its gastroprotective activity against ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. Gross and microscopic lesions, histochemical staining of glycogen storage, biochemical and immunological parameters were taken into consideration. Oral administration of ZnHMS (30 and 60 mg/kg; 14 days) dose-dependently inhibited gastric lesions. It significantly increased the mucus content and total acidity compared to the control group (P<0.01). Serum levels of aspartate (AST), alanine (ALT) transaminases, pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the rats exposed to ethanol induced ulceration have been altered. ZnHMS considerably enhances (P<0.05) the protection of gastric epithelia by modulating the acute alterations of AST, ALT, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and stomach glycogen. Interestingly, ZnHMS did interfere with the natural release of nitric oxide. In addition, acute toxicity study revealed no abnormal sign to the rats treated with ZnHMS (2000 mg/kg). These findings suggest that the gastroprotective activity of ZnHMS might contribute in adjusting the inflammatory cytokine-mediated oxidative damage to the gastric mucosa.     

金属离子抗性衣藻品系的分离筛选及其鉴定

从乌鲁木齐南山土壤中分离得到62株绿藻,利用印迹法筛选对Cu2＋、Fe3＋、Zn2＋、Co2＋4种金属离子有抗性的藻株。结果发现XJU-3、XJU-28和XJU-36对0.1mmol·L-1 Co2＋有抗性;XJU-28对1mmol·L-1 Zn2＋和Fe3＋有抗性;而XJU-36仅对0.05mmol·L-1 Cu2＋有抗性。利用形态学特征和rDNA转录单元内间隔区（ITS1和TIS2,包括5.8S）序列对3株绿藻进行了分类学鉴定。依据形态特征,初步判断3株绿藻可能属于衣藻属（Chlamydomonas）。利用ITS（包括5.8S）序列构建系统进化树分析,结果表明,XJU-3、XJU-28与Chlamydomonas zebra的关系较近,XJU-36与Chlamydomonas petasua的关系较近。     

Gender Disparities in the Presentation,Management and Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: Data from the 2nd Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-2)

Background

Gender-related differences in mortality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been reported. The extent and causes of these differences in the Middle-East are poorly understood. We studied to what extent difference in outcome, specifically 1-year mortality are attributable to demographic, baseline clinical differences at presentation, and management differences between female and male patients.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year mortality of 7390 ACS patients in 65 hospitals in 6 Arabian Gulf countries were evaluated during 2008–2009, as part of the 2nd Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-2). Women were older (61.3±11.8 vs. 55.6±12.4; P<0.001), more overweight (BMI: 28.1±6.6 vs. 26.7±5.1; P<0.001), and more likely to have a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia or diabetes. Fewer women than men received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE), aspirin, clopidogrel, beta blockers or statins at discharge. They also underwent fewer invasive procedures including angiography (27.0% vs. 34.0%; P<0.001), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (10.5% vs. 15.6%; P<0.001) and reperfusion therapy (6.9% vs. 20.2%; P<0.001) than men. Women were at higher unadjusted risk for in-hospital death (6.8% vs. 4.0%, P<0.001) and heart failure (HF) (18% vs. 11.8%, P<0.001). Both 1-month and 1-year mortality rates were higher in women than men (11% vs. 7.4% and 17.3% vs. 11.4%, respectively, P<0.001). Both baseline and management differences contributed to a worse outcome in women. Together these variables explained almost all mortality disparities.

Conclusions/Significance

Differences between genders in mortality appeared to be largely explained by differences in prognostic variables and management patterns. However, the origin of the latter differences need further study.     

Ecoregion-Based Conservation Planning in the Mediterranean: Dealing with Large-Scale Heterogeneity

Spatial priorities for the conservation of three key Mediterranean habitats, i.e. seagrass Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous formations, and marine caves, were determined through a systematic planning approach. Available information on the distribution of these habitats across the entire Mediterranean Sea was compiled to produce basin-scale distribution maps. Conservation targets for each habitat type were set according to European Union guidelines. Surrogates were used to estimate the spatial variation of opportunity cost for commercial, non-commercial fishing, and aquaculture. Marxan conservation planning software was used to evaluate the comparative utility of two planning scenarios: (a) a whole-basin scenario, referring to selection of priority areas across the whole Mediterranean Sea, and (b) an ecoregional scenario, in which priority areas were selected within eight predefined ecoregions. Although both scenarios required approximately the same total area to be protected in order to achieve conservation targets, the opportunity cost differed between them. The whole-basin scenario yielded a lower opportunity cost, but the Alboran Sea ecoregion was not represented and priority areas were predominantly located in the Ionian, Aegean, and Adriatic Seas. In comparison, the ecoregional scenario resulted in a higher representation of ecoregions and a more even distribution of priority areas, albeit with a higher opportunity cost. We suggest that planning at the ecoregional level ensures better representativeness of the selected conservation features and adequate protection of species, functional, and genetic diversity across the basin. While there are several initiatives that identify priority areas in the Mediterranean Sea, our approach is novel as it combines three issues: (a) it is based on the distribution of habitats and not species, which was rarely the case in previous efforts, (b) it considers spatial variability of cost throughout this socioeconomically heterogeneous basin, and (c) it adopts ecoregions as the most appropriate level for large-scale planning.     

乌鲁木齐南部山区地生地衣群落分布格局

为了查明乌鲁木齐南部山区地生地衣群落分布格局,作者选取了24个样点(20 m×20 m),设置了240个50cm×50 cm样方,调查地生地衣的种类及盖度,分析其分布格局及其与环境因子的关系.结果表明,乌鲁木齐南部山区共有地生地衣17种,隶属于2目5科10属.聚类分析和DCA排序将该地区的地生地衣分为4个主要样点组,分...     

维吾尔族2 型糖尿病患者糖尿病肾病相关因素分析

目的:探讨维吾尔族2型糖尿病肾病(DN)发病的相关临来因素。方法:分析292例维吾尔族2型糖尿病患者的临床资科。结果:维吾尔族2型糖尿病患者糖尿病肾病(DN)发病率为43.49%(127/292)。DN患者的病程、SBP、TC、TG、FBG、HbAIC、LDL-C、BUN和Cr均显著高于NDN患者(P<0.05);但DBP、HDL-C、BMI之间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。Logistic归分析结果显示,DM病程、患病年龄、SBP、FBP、TC、TG、LDL-C、HbA1c、BUN、Cr是DN的危险因素(OR值>1)。结论:维吾尔族2型糖尿病患者的DM病程、患病年龄、SBP、FBP、TC、TG、LDL-C、HbA1c、BUN、Cr等参数与糖尿病肾病并发率之间有相关性。     

An essential role of Hrs/Vps27 in endosomal cholesterol trafficking

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) plays a crucial role in the degradation of ubiquitinated endosomal membrane proteins. Here, we report that Hrs, a key protein of the ESCRT-0 complex, is required for the transport of low-density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol from endosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum. This function of Hrs in cholesterol transport is distinct from its previously defined role in lysosomal sorting and downregulation of membrane receptors via the ESCRT pathway. In line with this, knocking down other ESCRT proteins does not cause prominent endosomal cholesterol accumulation. Importantly, the localization and biochemical properties of key cholesterol-sorting proteins, NPC1 and NPC2, appear to be unchanged upon Hrs knockdown. Our data identify Hrs as a regulator of endosomal cholesterol trafficking and provide additional insights into the budding of intralumenal vesicles.